West Coast Nuances of Meaning
Aslin Beer Company

 

On tap at Apothecary Ale House in Morgantown WV.

Aslin makes this Nuances & Meaning as a New England and this West Coast.

First .. the head was very abundant. Large bubbles.

Aroma... Very much pine sap, lemon rind. Ever so slight coconut.

Taste of dankness, slightly salty, hint of saline. Grapefruit rind.

A little too hazy, but it's not as cloudy as their non-west coast offerings, and the meringue-like head sort of makes up for a translucent body. Nose is floral, with orange blossoms and citrus gum, with some savory herbs mixed in. Taste starts with soft honey dinner rolls paired with the orange blossoms from the nose. Sweetness hangs on a little long, with candied orange and a little pineapple. The herbal notes eat in slowly, but don't really take hold until the aftertaste and really preside over the linger. If there were less sweetness through the beer and/or If the bitterness gained strength sooner, I think I would like this a little more.

 

Pours a slightly cloudy, pale golden coloration with a small, frothy head. Smells of doughy, biscuity malt and citrus hops, with notes of grapefruit and orange, as well as light herbal accents. Taste follows the nose, with a great balance of doughy, biscuity malt and fruity, bitter slightly earthy and herbal hops, with citrus notes of grapefruit and orange, as well as some earthy, herbal accents in the aftertaste. Finishes with a medium/strong bitterness and some grapefruit and herbal, earthy accents lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

This makes for a pretty nice West Coast IPA with a great bitterness, although I do miss that pine resin that I associate with the style. Instead this has got some earthy and herbal nuances to it which are nice as well, while also being being quite citrussy. A bit of a more modern interpretation of the style that works for me overall though.